Kia Niro EV concept revealed at CES -Electric SUV claims 383km range

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The Kia Niro EV concept has been unveiled this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, likely previewing an upcoming production model.

After being previewed with a set of shadowy teaser images last week, the Niro EV concept doesn’t really offer too many surprises, looking like a dark and pumped-up version of the production Niro hybrid SUV (below).
Key differences between this concept and the current production model include unique front and rear treatments, along with slimmer and more aggressive lighting at both ends.

Pitched as the company’s “next step” on its “ongoing journey to electrification”, the Niro EV concept features a 64kWh lithium-polymer battery pack hooked up to a 150kW electric motor.

Performance figures are yet to be quoted, though Kia does claim that the all-electric crossover has a driving range of up to 238 miles (383km) on a single charge.

Inside, Kia says the dashboard features a wraparound design with a horizontal layout for the main controls and switchgear, which it claims gives an “innate sense of space and calm”.

As pedestrians may not hear the Niro EV coming, the concept car is also fitted with a new Active Pedestrian Warning System (APWS), which can sound an external alert if the vehicle senses an imminent collision.

The technology relies on front cameras, object-recognition software and a set of forward-facing speakers.

Kia has committed to offering no less than 16 electrified models by 2025, including a new fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2020.